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I have inner covers on some of my hives & some I don't.
I've measured for the correct bee space.& I cannot tell that much diff- either way.
But I like them because it keep's them from boiling in your face when you 1st remove the top.&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;MARK

I don't use inner covers. I have had them in the past, and still have one colony that uses an inner/outer cover arrangement that I picked up when I bought a bunch of colonies from a retiring beekeeper. Frankly, I haven't detected a difference, so it's not worth the added expense to me to have them.

In the deep south your probably not concerned as much with air flow, condensation, and a "dead air" space that beekeepers in the north use to help the hive through winter. I like them for the following reasons.

1. In propping the lid, the bees really only have to defend the hole in the inner cover. This can also limit moths using the lid area for entry in the summer.

2. I can lift the lid and see in the inner cover hole and get a reading on progress with the supers without opening the whole top.

3. It creates an area for pollen substitute or dry sugar to sit in emergancy feeding situations.

4. I can use gallon feeders sitting over the inner cover hole without exposing the hive to cold/wind in fall/winter.

5. I sit the supers on the lid when inspecting, and having the inner cover means I can still have a top on them to keep them calm and less exposed. Less angry bees.

6. I can work the inner cover alot easier when its propolized/burred to the hive or frames. I can't see how many frames are coming up when its just the top.

Note. Whether you use them or not. Burr comb has to do with not having proper bee space.

Try adding a screw that has a 'thick head' (like #12 sheet-metal), in each corner of your top-cover, so that when top-cover is in place and resting on the screw-heads, they create some extra space (and additional ventalation).

I use inner covers with one flat side and the other with a rim spacing. I leave the rim side down through winter to provide proper winter cluster space. In the spring I turn the flat side down to prevent bur comb build up. Works well. It is used as a feeder board in the fall. Also provides a ventulated air space between the hive top and the rest of the hive bodies for those hot summer days. I swear by inner cover use...